A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and crew has deployed under Operation Argos, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. This deployment is a critical component of Australia’s broader effort to prevent illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.
Operating from Kadena Air Base in Japan, the P-8A Poseidon will conduct aerial surveillance missions, contributing to regional security and supporting international sanctions enforcement. Operation Argos is Australia’s ongoing contribution to a multinational pressure campaign on North Korea to denuclearise. Since 2018, Australia has deployed maritime patrol aircraft 15 times and Royal Australian Navy vessels 12 times under Operation Argos.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said: “Through Operation Argos, Australia continues to play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, working alongside our international partners to enforce UNSC sanctions. Our deployment reinforces Australia’s strong commitment to uphold international law and support the rules-based global order. This Operation is a multinational effort alongside enforcement operations conducted by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Australia will continue to work closely with allies and partners to support international security initiatives.”
ADF wraps up Operation Solania
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has completed this year’s first maritime and aerial surveillance activity for Operation Solania in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Under Operation Solania, the ADF is assisting the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to detect and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. ADF assets provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to Pacific Island countries that contribute to regional security.
The FFA is an advisory and coordinating body established to assist member nations to manage and enhance their fisheries’ resources. FFA members work together to coordinate maritime and aerial surveillance patrols in their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). The FFA is supported by Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, along with ADF assets and personnel.
In this iteration of Operation Solania, the ADF deployed a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron and supporting personnel to Kwajalein to support the maritime surveillance of RMI’s EEZ. Australia remains committed to working with the RMI against the threat to territorial sovereignty and economic development caused by transnational crime and the illegal, unreported, and unregulated exploitation of natural resources.
The Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the ADF is committed to working with Pacific partners to respond to the illegal exploitation of fisheries and national resources. “A strong and prosperous Pacific region is in our interests, and Australia is proud to work alongside the Republic of the Marshall Islands to address shared priorities and challenges. Australia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have a long-standing partnership in maritime security, built on a shared ambition for a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
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Australia is 15 years too late to defend its self against China. We were too hell bent on keeping every happy by not spending on defence
It certainly looks that way – and with no meaningful increase in the Defence budget the ADF will get progressively weaker.